Senate backs ban on drones in certain locations

Tue, 2014-04-15 16:02

BATON ROUGE (AP) — The Louisiana Senate has agreed to prohibit unmanned aircraft from flying over chemical plants, water treatment systems, telecommunications networks and other items considered “critical infrastructure” in Louisiana.
The 35-1 vote Monday of the Senate sent the proposal by Republican Sen. Mack “Bodi” White, of Baton Rouge, to the House for consideration.
White’s bill includes exemptions for government officials and property owners.
Violating the ban would carry a prison sentence of up to six months on a first offense and of up to one year on subsequent offenses, along with hefty fines.
A proposal by Sen. Dan Claitor, scheduled for a Senate committee hearing today, would criminalize the use of drones to photograph people on private property without their permission, with exceptions.